Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HAMMERLOCK We had many sorts of men in our club, but nearly all young.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This seemed an appropriate envelopment of his flaming, buoyant personality.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One, in especial, early attracted my attention, and held it through all the changing vicissitudes of our many meetings.
appropriate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seemed an appropriate envelopment of his flaming, buoyant personality.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
attendance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One, in especial, early attracted my attention, and held it through all the changing vicissitudes of our many meetings.
attracted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One, in especial, early attracted my attention, and held it through all the changing vicissitudes of our many meetings.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
buoyantadjectiveUS /ˈbɔɪənt/
able to float or rise easily in water
From this reading This seemed an appropriate envelopment of his flaming, buoyant personality.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE HAMMERLOCK We had many sorts of men in our club, but nearly all young.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
cape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
changing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One, in especial, early attracted my attention, and held it through all the changing vicissitudes of our many meetings.
club
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HAMMERLOCK We had many sorts of men in our club, but nearly all young.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
deliberately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
display
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One, in especial, early attracted my attention, and held it through all the changing vicissitudes of our many meetings.
entering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
envelopment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seemed an appropriate envelopment of his flaming, buoyant personality.
especial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One, in especial, early attracted my attention, and held it through all the changing vicissitudes of our many meetings.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
fascinated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
flaming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seemed an appropriate envelopment of his flaming, buoyant personality.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE HAMMERLOCK We had many sorts of men in our club, but nearly all young.
HAMMERLOCK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HAMMERLOCK We had many sorts of men in our club, but nearly all young.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One, in especial, early attracted my attention, and held it through all the changing vicissitudes of our many meetings.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE HAMMERLOCK We had many sorts of men in our club, but nearly all young.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading One, in especial, early attracted my attention, and held it through all the changing vicissitudes of our many meetings.
lining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HAMMERLOCK We had many sorts of men in our club, but nearly all young.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
meetings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One, in especial, early attracted my attention, and held it through all the changing vicissitudes of our many meetings.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HAMMERLOCK We had many sorts of men in our club, but nearly all young.
military
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading One, in especial, early attracted my attention, and held it through all the changing vicissitudes of our many meetings.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HAMMERLOCK We had many sorts of men in our club, but nearly all young.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HAMMERLOCK We had many sorts of men in our club, but nearly all young.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One, in especial, early attracted my attention, and held it through all the changing vicissitudes of our many meetings.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading THE HAMMERLOCK We had many sorts of men in our club, but nearly all young.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
personality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This seemed an appropriate envelopment of his flaming, buoyant personality.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
promptly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This seemed an appropriate envelopment of his flaming, buoyant personality.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
sorts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HAMMERLOCK We had many sorts of men in our club, but nearly all young.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HAMMERLOCK We had many sorts of men in our club, but nearly all young.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This seemed an appropriate envelopment of his flaming, buoyant personality.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
threw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading One, in especial, early attracted my attention, and held it through all the changing vicissitudes of our many meetings.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
vicissitudes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One, in especial, early attracted my attention, and held it through all the changing vicissitudes of our many meetings.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading THE HAMMERLOCK We had many sorts of men in our club, but nearly all young.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
wornverbUS /wɔːrn/
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading He came always in a rather worn military cape, which on entering the door he promptly threw back in such a manner as to display the red lining.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I say attracted me, though fascinated would be perhaps the better word, for after the first evening of his attendance I used deliberately so to place myself that I could watch him.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HAMMERLOCK We had many sorts of men in our club, but nearly all young.
